Police make arrest in cat burglary case

Police have arrested a man believed to have been involved in up to 20 cat burglaries in the Surprise and Buckeye area.

Buckeye Police arrested 21-year-old James William Roberts following a two-month long investigation and charged him with nine felonies related to crimes in their jurisdiction.

Surprise Police have been searching for a suspect that had been entering homes in and around the Copper Canyon subdivision.

Over the last two months, 10 burglaries have occurred in Surprise, Sgt. Mark Ortega of the Surprise Police Department said.

"(Roberts) is considered a person of interest at this time, Ortega said. "Right now we haven't made any determinations if he is linked to the crimes. Investigators still need to speak to him and go through the evidence we've collected.

Ortega said that the investigation into Roberts' involvement could go on for another week or so.

"Unless, in that time, he confesses to the crimes," Ortega said.

Roberts is suspected of entering the homes of his victims in the early morning hours while they slept, gaining entry through open windows or unlocked doors.  He allegedly took jewelry, credit cards and other valuables easily carried from the scene.